A major leak on Reddit has pulled back the curtain on Pokémon Champions, an upcoming PvP-focused title that will mark a bold new direction for the Pokémon franchise. According to the leak, the game is officially set to launch on January 23, 2026, for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and mobile devices.
First revealed during the February 2025 Pokémon Presents showcase, Pokémon Champions was already shaping up to be a spiritual successor to Pokémon Stadium. Now, this leak gives us a clearer view of its free-to-play model, competitive framework, and gameplay innovations that could redefine Pokémon battles moving forward.
Free-to-Play Launch and Pokémon Roster
The game will be free to download and feature 350 Pokémon at launch, with additional species added seasonally. Players will be able to import Pokémon via Pokémon Home from day one, bringing legacy teams into battle across generations.
New Battle Modes and Seasonal Progression
Gone are the days of traditional ranked battles. Pokémon Champions introduces:
- Ranked Mode with 2–3 month seasons and rotating regulation rules (rental teams not allowed).
- Casual Mode for relaxed matchmaking.
- A Battle Frontier-style challenge mode with scaling AI difficulty and tier-based challenges.
One standout addition is the Nuzlocke-style challenge, where fainted Pokémon are locked until a “tier boss” is defeated. Healing is limited until players win 10 consecutive battles, culminating in a boss-like encounter against a Gym Leader or elite NPC.
Special themed battles will include:
- Level 50 and Level 100 format restrictions
- Type-restricted formats
- Dynamax-only showdowns
In-Game Rewards, Victory Points, and Customization
The economy will be split into two reward types:
- Currency – Earned in-game or purchased with real money, used for cosmetics like trainer outfits, stadium themes, and Pokémon skins.
- Victory Points (VP) – Only earned through battle victories, used to purchase healing items and core battle gear.
This system balances monetization with fair competition, ensuring skilled players can earn meaningful upgrades without pay-to-win mechanics.
A New Era for Pokémon PvP
According to the leak, Pokémon Champions will replace the traditional competitive mode for Generation 10, allowing the mainline RPGs to focus more on exploration, visuals, and single-player mechanics. With Champions serving as the dedicated PvP platform, the franchise aims to deliver a more refined competitive ecosystem.
Each season will rotate NPC opponents, Gym Leaders, and timed challenges, keeping gameplay fresh and strategically challenging.
Mark Your Calendar: January 23, 2026
With its January release locked in, Pokémon Champions is shaping up to be a major tentpole in Nintendo’s 2026 lineup, joining Pokémon Legends: Z-A and other high-profile Switch titles.
Whether you're a veteran competitive player or returning for nostalgic trainer battles, Champions is poised to become the definitive online Pokémon battle experience.
What are your thoughts on the news? Will you be adding Champions to your buy list for next year? Let us know if you are getting it in the comments down below!